RIVERBANKS ZOO&GARDEN columbia�south carolina Volume XXXVI, Number 3
Riverbanks is published six times a year for members of Riverbanks Society by Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, Columbia, South Carolina.
Riverbanks Park Commission
Mary Howard, Chair Bud Tibshrany, Vice-Chair Robert G. Davidson, Treasurer Jan Stamps, Secretary M.F. "Phil" Bartlett James E. Smith Alana Odom Williams
Riverbanks Society Board
Chris Goodall, President Derrick L. Williams, Vice President J. Anderson Folsom, Treasurer Marie McGehee, Secretary Carl W. Blackstone Clifford Bourke, Jr. Sharon W. Bryant Jane Chao Kay Crapps J. Anderson Folsom Jeffrey Gossett David G. Hodges Stephanie R. Jones Susan S. Keenan Sarah Kirby William G. McMaster Stuart Moore Robin L. Rawl W. Harold Wray Jeff Reeves, Honorary Board Member Don F. Barton, Director Emeritus
Inside Scoop The Observation Deck
2
A note from the Director
Keeper Corner
14
Fins, Feathers and Fur
15
Conservation Corner
17
In the Know
19
Behind the scenes with the animals Keeper faves, facts and figures Insider "tails," tidbits and tips Insider "tails," tidbits and tips
Essentials Plan Your Visit
5
Shoots and Blooms
7
Riverbanks Adventures
9
Mark your calendars and other fun things to Zoo Gardening tips and how-tos, plus plants in the spotlight
Upcoming classes and educational programs
Features
Herman the Sea Turtle: Saving the Seas
Meet the loggerhead made of litter that is helping protect our oceans
Together We Can Save Species
Learn about a new initiative to save animals from extinction
3 11
Riverbanks Senior Staff Satch Krantz
President & CEO
Breta Rheney
Chief Financial Officer
Tommy Stringfellow
Chief Operating Officer
Andy Cabe
Botanical Garden Director
Elizabeth Clemens
Director of Education
Ed Diebold
Director of Animal Collections & Conservation
Kevin Eubanks
Director of Guest Services
Eric Helms
Director of Risk Management & Facilities
Melodie Scott-Leach
Director of Habitat Horticulture
Christie Vondrak
Director of Human Resources
Lochlan Wooten
Director of Marketing
John Davis
Riverbanks Hours of Operation
Open daily 9am - 5pm except Thanksgiving day & Christmas day 9am - 6pm Weekends during Daylight Savings Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is located at 500 Wildlife Pkwy, Columbia SC 29210 Subscriptions to Riverbanks are $24 per year. Members of Riverbanks Society are entitled to one free subscription along with free admission and guest passes, discounts at Zoo & Garden gift shops, invitations to special events and much more. To subscribe to Riverbanks or to join the Society, visit www.riverbanks.org or call 803.779.8717 and press 1. Riverbanks Magazine
Art Direction & Design - Matt Croxton Editor - Monique Jacobs Contributors - Milo Anderson, Andy Cabe, Syndi Castelluccio, Elizabeth Clemens, Ed Diebold, Alexa Godfrey, Colleen Lynch, Susan O'Cain, Alma Ruffin, Amanda Segura, Kathy Vause, Klishaya Workman Contributing Photographers - Ron Brasington, Jo Marie Brown, Andy Cabe, Larry Cameron, Lynn Hunter Hackett, Michael Jones, Melodie Scott-Leach, Richard Rokes, Robin Vondrak
Curator of Mammals
Colleen Lynch
Curator of Birds
Scott Pfaff
Curator of Herpetology
Jennifer Rawlings
ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AQUARIUMS&
$
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden is
American accredited by the Association of Public Gardens Zoos and Aquariums and a member of the American Public Association Gardens Association.
Aquarium Curator
Martha Weber, DVM Senior Veterinorion
Cover Photograph: Western lowland gorilla by Larry Cameron